Family of Littleborough crash victim speak of anger and grief as part of Road Safety Week

The family of a woman killed in Littleborough by a speeding driver who was on the wrong side of the road have spoken of their grief and anger.

Doris Bridgehouse, 82, was killed in the collision on Halifax Road, in May 2022.

The crash happened after a family night out when Doris' Kia Venga was in collision with an Audi being driven at speed on the wrong side of road.

The Audi driver, Trent Simm had been driving at over 100mph leading up to the collision and moments before this crash was travelling at 118mph on the 30mph stretch of road.

Simm was jailed for seven years and four months when he was sentenced earlier this month.
 

Read more: Dangerous driver jailed after killing 82-year-old grandmother in 100mph crash in RochdalePublished: 15 November 2023

Also in the car were Doris’ daughter Amanda Holmes, 56, in the passenger seat and her son Max, 22, in the back.

Amanda, known as Mandy and from West Yorkshire, spent more than a month in intensive care fighting for her life and has been speaking as part of Road Safety Week.

She suffered a brain injury, a broken wrist and broken ribs as well as damage to her pelvis in the crash and was in hospital for more than five months.

Mandy said: “My mum Doris liked to be known as Dot and was a nurse in Tameside and Oldham for more than 25 years – nursing was her vocation; she was committed to caring for people and she was amazing at it.

"She was a beautiful person inside and out, was always loved by family and friends as she was so kind.

"Grieving is difficult because of the way that we have lost Mum - tragically and suddenly; dreadful, incomprehensible and shocking.

"It's been a devastating 18 months for myself and my two sons. Max suffered quite severe seatbelt injuries and had internal bleeding.

"My son and I are still trying to put things into perspective and cope emotionally and physically after the tragedy and also our injuries.

"To feel like we do and the loss and sadness is something that I wouldn't wish on anyone.

“Max has very vivid memories that he is going to have for the rest of his life and which I would take away from him in a heartbeat if I could."

 

 

Mandy is still suffering from the after-effects of the collision, including memory loss and fatigue, and only returned to work part-time as a nurse in January.

She adds: “My memories of the crash are quite vague because I suffered a serious head injury.

“We had a lovely day at Salford University, celebrating the end of my son's degree, and were driving home along a familiar road in Littleborough.

“I remember a junction before the accident but recall very little of the crash apart from the sound of metal on metal and didn’t wake up properly until around July.

“I feel angry – his [Simm’s] behaviour was irresponsible and inexcusable; Mum didn’t stand a chance - his unforgivable actions have left a gap in our family that can never be filled.

“When I learned to drive when I was 17 my dad said to me ‘always remember that you are in charge of a lethal weapon’.

"Driving at irresponsible and dangerous speeds is thoughtless and careless; it kills and ruins lives.

"Actions have consequences and if you are going to take those risks, then you must be prepared to take the consequences.

“Hopefully speaking out will make drivers think again if they intend to drive at speed and if we can save one life, then that is a fitting tribute to my mum.”

Max has more vivid recollections of the crash and thanked the people who came to his aid as well as the emergency services.

He said: “I remember getting out of the car and seeing people starting to flood onto the street.

“The emergency services arrived, and I remember feeling totally helpless and had no idea what to do. It was horrifying; you never expect something like that to happen.

 

 

“To drive at speeds like that, speeds of over 100mph, is inexcusable.

“I don't care if you don't have the intent to go out there and kill someone, he’s chosen to drive like that and chosen to drive like an idiot.

“It's just not fair that he has done this to people driving at the speed limit.

"That night has left a big void in our lives and irreparable damage, and he deserves the time that he's going to have to spend in prison.”

Mandy added: "We can't thank the emergency services and the police enough for what they've done.

"We were assigned a Family Liaison Officer and everyone has been so kind, caring and professional - I don't know that we would have got through this without them, they have been absolutely incredible.

 

Mandy Holmes and son Max talk about the loss of their mum and grandmother, Doris Bridgehouse